Agenda item

The licensing officer presented their report.  Members had no questions for the licensing officer.

The applicant and their legal representative addressed the sub-committee.  Members had questions for the applicant and their legal representative.

The licensing sub-committee heard from a local resident objecting to the application.  Members had questions for the local resident.

It was noted that the responsible authorities had conciliated with the applicant.

Both parities were given five minutes for summing up.

The meeting adjourned at 11.28am for the members to consider their decision.

The meeting resumed at 11.45am and the chair advised all parties of the decision.

RESOLVED:

That the application made by Venue Lab Limited for a premises licence to be granted under Section 17 of the Licensing Act 2003 in respect of the premises known as Unit 1, Canada Water Retail Park, Surrey Quays Road, London SE16 2XU be granted as follows:

Conditions

The operation of the premises under the licence shall be subject to relevant mandatory conditions, any conditions derived from the operating schedule in Section M of the application form, conditions conciliated with the responsible authorities during conciliation and the following conditions imposed by the licensing sub-committee:

1.  That a direct telephone number for the manager at the premises shall be publicly available at all times the premises is open.  The telephone number is to be made available to residents in the vicinity.

2.  That the dispersal policy will provide details of the temporary taxi rank established by the premises.

Reasons

The licensing sub-committee heard from the applicant’s representative who advised that the company, Venue Lab Limited, was a specialist company that brought derelict building back to life.  The premises at Unit 5 would operate as a multi functional events space and entertainment venue with a maximum capacity of 1,500 people in line with granted planning permission. Flexibility is required to market the premises for different types of events.  The applicant had an unrivalled set of premises none of which had any licensing issues in terms of enforcement or review.

The licensing sub-committee heard from another person who in principal supported premises that promoted culture and arts generally but objected to aspects of the application, in particular the operation of the premises beyond 23:00 hours was considered excessive as the premises is located in a residential area, which would impact on the local residents right to quiet enjoyment within their homes and potentially would impact on the residents health and well-being adversely.  The premises also sought a maximum capacity of 1,500 and concern was raised as to how patrons would be navigated to the transport.

The licensing sub-committee noted that all the responsible authorities had conciliated and agreed conditions.

The premises licence application included an extensive operation schedule and the applicant conciliated with the responsible authorities. The applicant also operated the Print Works premises in the area which neither responsible authorities or the local objector (‘other person’) had any real concerns of therefore no overwhelming reason could be found to refuse the application. The conditions that this sub-committee have imposed will address the fears the local resident(s) may have.  On this basis, the application is granted.

In reaching this decision the sub-committee had regard to all the relevant considerations and the four licensing objectives and considered that this decision was appropriate and proportionate.

Appeal rights

The applicant may appeal against any decision:

a)  To impose conditions on the licence

b)  To exclude a licensable activity or refuse to specify a person as premises supervisor.

Any person who made relevant representations in relation to the application who desire to contend that:

a)  The  licence ought not to be been granted; or

b)  That on granting the licence, the licensing authority ought to have imposed different or additional conditions to the licence, or ought to have modified them in a different way

may appeal against the decision.

Any appeal must be made to the Magistrates’ Court for the area in which the premises are situated. Any appeal must be commenced by notice of appeal given by the appellant to the justices’ clerk for the Magistrates’ Court within the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which the appellant was notified by the licensing authority of the decision appealed against.